TAB SEASON BETTING PREVIEW

GEELONG ($5.50) TAB opened Geelong at $6 for the flag after demolishing the Swans in the grand final and punters were quick to snap it up. The Cats have stayed steady at $5.50. Opened: $6 Premiership: $5.50 Minor premiership: $3.30

Top 4: $1.50 Final 8: $1.05

To miss 8: $9.50 Biggest bets: $5000 @ $5.50, $2000 @ $5.50, $1000 @ $5.50

MELBOURNE ($6.50) Gawn and Grundy looked ominous against Richmond in Melbourne’s final hitout. It was enough for one TAB customer to place a $40,000 bet at $7 on the Dees to win the flag (potential $280,000 collect). Melbourne is the best-backed team with 20 per cent of investments. Opened: $8 Premiership: $6.50 Minor premiership: $7 Top 4:

$2.05 Final 8: $1.17 To Miss 8: $4.80 Biggest bets: $40,000 @ $7, $5000 @ $7, $1000 @ $7

BRISBANE ($8) The Lions are the third-best backed team for the flag. One punter put $4000 on the opening $9. Opened: $9 Premiership: $8 Minor premiership: $7 Top 4: $2.05 Final 8: $1.17 To miss 8: $4.80 Biggest Bets: $4000 @ $9, $2500 @$8, $1000 @ $9

RICHMOND ($8) Into $8 off the back of two highprofile recruits (Taranto and Hopper) and the return to full fitness of Dustin Martin. Opened: $10 Premiership: $8 Minor premiership: $8 Top 4: $2.25 Final 8: $1.25 To miss 8: $3.80 Biggest bets: $5000 @ $8

CARLTON ($10) Always a lot of hype around the Blues before round 1. TAB punters might see $2.85 for the Blues to miss the top 8 as a good value bet. Opened: $11 Premiership: $10 Minor premiership: $10 Top 4: $2.75 Final 8: $1.42 To miss 8: $2.85 Biggest bets: $5000 @ $9

COLLINGWOOD ($10) There has been some interest in the Pies as they account for just over 9 per cent of the hold.

Opened: $9 Premiership: $10 Minor premiership: $13 Top 4: $3 Final 8: $1.55 To miss 8: $2.40 Biggest bets: $1000 @ $10

SYDNEY ($11) Sydney has been the biggest drifter in the flag market.

Opened: $6 Premiership: $11 Minor premiership: $11 Top 4: $2.90 Final 8: $1.50 To miss 8: $2.55 Biggest bets: $2500 @ $10

WESTERN BULLDOGS ($15) The Dogs have been solid in betting throughout the pre-season.

Opened: $16 Premiership: $15 Minor premiership: $15 Top 4: $3.50 Final 8: $1.80 To miss 8: $2 Biggest Bets: $2500 @ $16, $1100 @ $16, $1000 @ $16

PORT ADELAIDE ($16) Power got to $13 after the fixture release, but is back out to $16 after lacklustre practice match form. Opened: $16 Premiership: $16 Minor premiership: $18 Top 4: $4 Final 8: $1.70

To miss 8: $2.10 Biggest bets: $3000 @ $14, $1000 @ $16, $1000 @ $15

FREMANTLE ($18) The Dockers account for 4 per cent of the premiership market hold. Opened: $18 Premiership: $18 Minor premiership: $21 Top 4: $4.50 Final 8: $1.90 To miss 8: $1.88 Biggest bets: $2,500 @$18

ST KILDA ($41) The Saints drifted from $26 out to $41 after a luckless run of injuries over the pre-season to key players. Opened: $26 Premiership: $41 Minor premiership: $101 Top 4: $12 Final 8: $3.75 To miss 8: $1.26 Biggest bets: $1500 @ $34

ESSENDON ($51) The Bombers have remained steady at $51 since the market went up on grand final day last year. Can they cause a boilover? Opened: $51 Premiership: $51 Minor premiership: $101 Top 4: $13 Final 8: $4 To miss 8: $1.25 Biggest bets: $1,000 @ $51

GOLD COAST ($67) Can the Suns make the top 8 for the first time? They are a $4.50 chance, which might be enticing. Opened: $67 Premiership: $67 Minor premiership: $51

Top 4: $13 Final 8: $4 To miss 8: $1.25 Biggest bets: $1,000 @ $67

ADELAIDE ($81) No love from punters. They’re the second-best backed team in the ‘most losses’ market at $18. Opened: $67 Premiership: $81 Minor premiership: $201

Top 4: $15 Final 8: $4

To miss 8: $1.25 Biggest bets: $100 @ $81, $100 @ $67

GWS GIANTS ($81) They have been friendless in betting and have drifted out from their opening price of $51 to $81.

Opened: $51 Premiership: $81 Minor premiership: $151 Top 4:

$18 Final 8: $6 To miss 8: $1.12 Biggest bets: $200 @ $51

HAWTHORN ($101) The Hawks lead the way in the ‘most losses’ market.

Opened: $67 Premiership: $101 Minor premiership: $501 Top 4: $34 Final 8: $15 To miss 8: $1.01 Biggest bets: $500 @ $101

WEST COAST ($151) There’s not much support to date

for the Eagles. Opened: $101 Premiership: $151 Minor premiership: $151 Top 4: $26 Final 8: $8 To miss 8: $1.07 Biggest bets: $500 @ $151

NORTH MELBOURNE ($201) No love at all. They are the worstbacked team in terms of money held along with GWS. Opened: $151 Premiership: $201 Minor premiership: $501 Top 4: $34 Final 8: $15

To miss 8: $1.01 Biggest bets: $250 @ $201 *Odds as of Friday. Subject to change